Matt and Rachel discuss play, what it looks like and whether they're good at it. Together they start working towards a grand theory of play. Plus some mail from the deep end!How do you play? Let us know by emailing us at timmstake@gmail.com.Mentioned in this episode:Rachel's bubbly music: "Feels So Right" and "Everything's Right" by Matt Wertz

Rachel and Matt talk about the things they don't want to forget about this season, both things that Oliver and Julian are doing and things that they are feeling and experiencing themselves.We're always looking for more mail! Email us at timmstake@gmail.com.Mentioned in this episode:Rich Roll Podcast with Jessica Lahey: Innoculating Kids Against Addiction

Matt and Rachel discuss the ways that having a second child has changed them from resignation to patience to introversion and all kinds of things in between. Plus, some things that haven't seemed to change at all! Have you noticed any changes through the podcast? Email us at timmstake@gmail.com!

Rachel and Matt do a snake draft of the services they subscribe to after some brief marital therapy induced by some recent sleepless nights. Do you have a favorite thing you're subscribed to? Email us at timmstake@gmail.com.Mentioned in this episode:Chris Trager, the fine-tuned machineGetting Things Done by David AllenOur subscriptions:Todoist1PasswordSpotifyYNAB; referral linkLeague Pass (Team Pass) Amazon PrimeRefitMicrosoft 365Google OneProsePinboardCleanMyMac X

Matt interviews Rachel about her experience of instinctive decision making as a mom. Where do they come from? How does she discern when to pay attention and when to trust conventional wisdom despite them? And stay to the end to hear about Oliver's own parenting techniques!Have instincts of your own? A story where they worked out perfectly (or not so perfectly)? Email us at timmstake@gmail.com and we'll likely include your note in a future episode!

Matt and Rachel talk about the positive and negative pressures that get applied when they have to parent in public and the way so much of this reflects our own stuff far more than the parenting our kids need! Plus, Oliver on red dye.As always, we welcome your own takes! Email us at timmstake@gmail.com.Mentioned in this episode:Sesame Street's "Good Night, World!"Beth Moore's memoir: All My Knotted-Up Life

Rachel and Matt talk about the value of studying the loves  and passions of others in the family and some examples of ways they have done that for each other and with Oliver. Plus some brief weather talk and the challenge of working out what's going on with a five month old.Have your own example? Or another family/friend philosophy? Email us and let us know at timmstake@gmail.com.Mentioned in this episode:Some Favorite Dude Perfect Videos: Ping Pong Trick Shots, Ultimate Mini Games Battle

Matt and Rachel discuss the surprising lack of rules in their family, how that might be a healthy thing and how children (toddlers especially!) help relativize the importance of ironclad boundaries.Have a favorite family rule? Or a personal hard line you will not cross? Email us and let us know at timmstake@gmail.com.Mentioned in this episode:Raising Boys & Girls PodcastThe Worry-Free Parent Miniseries (from the Raising Boys & Girls Podcast)Dude Perfect YouTube ChannelBlues Clues & You: Storytime with Josh & Blue (Podcast)

Rachel and Matt hit a couple of quick highlights from recent days, and then dive deep on their love of reading, where it came from, how they've cultivated it and some favorites of this year!Have a book recommendation? Or another favorite hobby you're dying to share with us? Email us and let us know at timmstake@gmail.com.Mentioned in this episode:Wayside School Series by Louis SacharA Series of Unfortunate EventsHardy Boys mysteriesTed DekkerGoodreadsRobin Sloan on the Libby widgetThe Thursday Murder Club Series by Richard OsmanChildren of Dune by Frank HerbertTaylor Jenkins Reid (Daisy Jones and the Six, The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo, Carrie Soto is Back)Delighting in the Trinity by Michael ReevesI Guess I Haven't Learned That Yet by Shauna NiequistFourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros

Matt and Rachel lament their current four month regression with Julian and reflect on what it's like going back through this all a second time.Whose analogy did you like better? It might be the only thing worth commenting on in this episode. Email us and let us know at timmstake@gmail.com.Mentioned in this episode:Previous sleep regression episodes: Episode 20 ("I declared the regression was over..."); Episode 21 ("I was wrong...")"Look for the Light"Bell Sound Effect from Pixabay

Rachel and Matt talk about the guilt around certain areas that they carry with them about their parenting, how they process that individually and together.How do you grapple with guilt, whether parenting-related or in another part of your life? We'd love to hear about it. Email us at timmstake@gmail.com.Mentioned in this episode:Instagram Reel about "Soaking It All In"The Bear on Hulu

Matt and Rachel explore the question "what compelling or interesting things do you bring in your role in our family?" It leads to an interesting and encouraging conversation as they explore their dynamic and how that interacts with early expectations in marriage.Have you had a conversation like this with someone? Inspired by this episode? We'd love to hear about it. Email us at timmstake@gmail.com.Mentioned in this episode:NYT Opinion on athletic groups replacing religion: "The Church of Group Fitness"

Rachel and Matt offer a whole episode of TV recommendations. Now that they can't just use Matt's parents' Netflix, they are watching shows one streaming platform at a time. So, if you only subscribed for a month, what do they think you should watch? Listen to find out. We'd love to hear your recommendations. What are your favorite shows? What should we check out? Why should we subscribe to Paramount+? Let us know at timmstake@gmail.com.Mentioned in this episode:Amazon Prime: Primo and Jury DutyMax (HBO): Newsroom and The West Wing Recap Podcast: The West Wing WeeklyHulu: Survivor and Modern FamilyPodcast: On Fire with Jeff ProbstApple TV: Platonic and TryingNetflix: Madam Secretary and Formula 1: Drive to Survive (bonus mention to The Diplomat)Disney+: Bluey and AndorFavorite Bluey episodes: Baby Race and Sleepytime

We're back! Matt and Rachel talk about the future of the podcast and share a few of the things that have happened recently including Julian's birth, Oliver's third birthday and how they feel about it all. As we broaden the topics of the podcast, we're game for anything - send us a note about something you'd be curious to hear our "take" on! Email us at timmstake@gmail.com.Mentioned in this episode:Zingo, the game Matt and Oliver were playing.

No, it's not an update; just a couple of tired parents trying to not mislead listeners.More to (maybe) come soon (maybe), we think (possibly)...

One month out from baby #2 and how are we feeling? Rachel and Matt reflect on what they are anticipating, how they've been preparing (and not preparing), and what this might mean for their relationship.Plus an announcement of our upcoming plans (or lack thereof).We welcome mail responses to episodes old and new! Email us at timmstake@gmail.com.Mentioned in this episode:Kate Bowler, "A Blessing for the Life You Have"In a fitting Easter story, the Chick-fil-A Side salad died, and then rose again.

This episode is all (and only) the other stuff featuring a new favorite fantasy series, newsletter, another (rival?) podcast and some of Oliver's recent sayings. Links below!Plus Rachel asks for breakfast suggestions.Breakfast suggestions? Future topic ideas? Send them to  timmstake@gmail.com.Mentioned in this episode:Chris Traegar from Parks and RecThe Legendborn Cycle by Tracy DeonnCraig Mod: Roden, Ridgeline, his websiteBible Project Podcast on the Law

In this episode,  Matt and Rachel talk about their recent summit conversation and the way it created a significant "before and after" moment for Matt.How do you practice contentment? Email us at timmstake@gmail.com.Mentioned in this episode:"From the Summit" by Hannah (aka "Blog Crush Lady")Four Thousand Weeks by Oliver BurkemanSurvivor is back!The Ember mug

In this episode,  Rachel and Matt discuss screen time, how much Oliver gets it, and why it might be helpful for us to just relax a little (or more than a little).Plus a mention of Oliver's first dentist experience.Do you have thoughts on screen time? We know you do! Email us at timmstake@gmail.com.Mentioned in this episode:Emily Oster's Cribsheet"From the Summit" by Hannah (aka "Blog Crush Lady")Station Eleven by Emily St John Mandel

In this episode,  Matt and Rachel rank Oliver's 22 stuffed animals, discussing their rankings in light of affection and emotional reactions, longevity, our personal connections to his animals, places they've been, and their heritage.Disagree with these authoritative rankings? Email us at timmstake@gmail.com.Mentioned in this episode:Photos of Oliver's animals: Almost the Whole Gang; Some of the Top 10A poor substitute for Yaya that we hope we never have to buy.Bluey: Unicorse